Driving Schools in Singapore to Hire Foreign Instructors

SINGAPORE: The Traffic Police (TP) are taking action to combat the escalating waiting times for Class 4 driving lessons, which are essential for obtaining licenses to operate heavy vehicles like buses and large trucks. Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam announced on Monday (November 11) that driving schools in Singapore will now be permitted to hire foreign instructors to help alleviate this pressing issue.

According to a report by CNA, the current situation has left private bus operators and tour companies scrambling, as many foreign employees are unable to drive without obtaining a local license. With the backlog growing, the average waiting time for new applicants to start their Class 4 lessons currently stands at around five months, a significant increase compared to pre-pandemic durations.

Minister Shanmugam attributed the delays to a surge in foreign worker applications and a daunting shortage of driving instructors available to provide necessary training. To tackle this challenge, he stated, "The Traffic Police will permit driving schools to engage foreign instructors, providing an essential boost to the local instructor pool and improving training capacity across the board."

Responding to inquiries from Member of Parliament Melvin Yong about the situation's severity and potential solutions, Shanmugam emphasized that the Traffic Police is exploring strategies to enhance the availability of driving lessons. At present, the Singapore Safety Driving Centre in Woodlands stands out as the only institution offering dedicated facilities for Class 4 training and testing.

In additional efforts to prioritize those in urgent need of Class 4 licenses for occupational reasons, TP plans to license more driving centers that can facilitate these lessons.

The impact of the licensing delays is significant; one tour agency reported that approximately 30% of its bus drivers are currently stuck in limbo, pending their lessons and tests. A representative from WTS Travel indicated that prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, obtaining a driving license took about four to five months, but this period has now extended to six to seven months, resulting in a devastating 20% decrease in revenue for the company.

Moreover, waiting times for other types of licenses at various driving centers have also been affected. Following a surge in registrations for driving lessons post-pandemic, some students have resorted to utilizing internet bots to secure practical lesson slots, prompting warnings from driving schools against such tactics.

Stay tuned for updates on this evolving situation and what it means for foreign workers in Singapore's transport sector!